If there's little tax relief for you on April 15, the restaurant industry is at least stepping up with comfort food. Tax day has become a big promotional day over recent years for brands from beer to bagels. More than ever this year, restaurants hope to get some relief for themselves by doling out freebies, promotions and discounts.

In the midst of one of the restaurant industry's worst-ever downturns, thousands of restaurants nationwide will do something on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or New Year's Day that they've never done before: open the doors.